The incredible life of Prince Philip, who is dead at the age of 99

The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip has died at the age of 99. Buckingham Palace announced on Friday, April 9 that the Duke of Edinburgh died earlier that morning.

While he retired from public life at the age of 95, claiming he would no longer carry out public engagements, he has been present at a number of high-profile events over the past few years, including the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.

From a career in the Royal Navy to his life standing by the side of his wife Queen Elizabeth II and his role as a figurehead for organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), he truly lived a full life.

Here’s a look at the incredible life of Prince Philip.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died.

The Duke of Edinburgh. Jeff Spicer / Getty

He was born as ‘Prince of Greece and Denmark’ in Corfu on June 10, 1921, the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece. His mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg.

Prince Philip’s family. AP

His family left Greece for France when Philip was only 18 months old due to political instability. Here he is (second from the right), pictured on holiday in Romania in September 1928.

Philip was educated at an American school in Paris, Cheam School in Hampshire, and Schule Schloss Salem in Germany. He also attended the public school of Gordonstoun in Elgin, Scotland.

Source: The Royal Family

Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1939 after he left Gordonstoun.

Prince Philip of Greece, later the Duke of Edinburgh, smiles during a naval visit to Melbourne, Australia, August 29, 1945. AP

He was promoted to sub-lieutenant, then became the first lieutenant of the destroyer HMS Wallace in 1942, at the age of 21. He was promoted to commander in 1952, the same year he left the navy.

Source: The Royal Family

The Prince was always athletic. Here, he’s shown batting in the nets during cricket practice while in the Royal Navy in July 1947.

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During the World War I, Prince Philip’s grandfather, Prince Louis of Battenberg, changed the family’s name to Mountbatten, a title Philip adopted.

Source: The Royal Family

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip met when they were children, at a wedding in 1934. In July 1947, the couple announced their engagement.

Prince Philip and the then-Princess Elizabeth at their official engagement photo call. Associated Press

Phillip renounced his Royal Mountbatten title in order to marry her.

The couple were married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey. Philip gained the titles Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich.

The royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. AP

They spent part of their honeymoon at Broadlands in Hampshire.

Philip and Elizabeth on their honeymoon. AP

For the next few years, the couple lived in Malta, where Prince Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy. There, in 1949, they had their first son, Prince Charles. Princess Anne followed in 1950.

In this more candid image, they’re pictured with Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Clarence House in August 1951.

The family at Clarence House, a royal residence in London. Associated Press

Aged 25, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth in 1953, directly following the death of her father, King George VI. At this point, Philip left the Navy.

Queen Elizabeth II stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on her coronation day in 1953. Associated Press

Still, he managed to maintain interests outside of his new royal duties. After qualifying as a pilot in 1953, Philip was the first member of the Royal family ever to fly out of Buckingham Palace Garden in a helicopter.

Prince Philip in naval uniform, gropes for a step which is not there as he alights from a helicopter which he flew from the grounds of Buckingham Palace in London, to the deck of the Australian Aircraft carrier Melbourne, at Portsmouth, England Feb. 24, 1956. AP

He also maintained his military connections as Colonel, Grenadier Guards.

The Duke of Edinburgh. Getty

He and the Queen waited until 1960 to have their third child, Prince Andrew. Their fourth and final child, Prince Edward, was born in 1964.

Queen Elizabeth II holds her fourth child, Prince Edward, as they leave Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom, on Saturday, April 4, 1964. AP

Prince Andrew looked pleased to be riding with his father to Windsor Castle for Christmas in 1964.

The Duke of Edinburgh and his son Prince Andrew. S&G/S&G Barratts/EMPICS Archive

Philip leaves behind eight grandchildren, including Prince William, who is second in line to the throne. Nine great-grandchildren are also part of the family.

William and Philip appeared to have a close relationship.

William and his grandfather greet one another at an engagement. Chris Jackson / Getty

When she took the throne, Philip stood by the side of Queen Elizabeth II…

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II take an official photograph. Keystone / Getty

…no matter where it took him. Here, the couple step out for a Royal Tour of Canada in 1951.

The royal couple arrive in Canada. Fox Photos / Getty

Here, he visits Abu Dhabi as part of a state trip to the Middle East in 2010.

He carried out 100 public engagements in 2016 alone, more than many of the younger royals.

Britain’s Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh walks by as he visits the Queen Elizabeth II delivery office in Windsor, England, Wednesday April 20, 2016. Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP

He has sat beside Her Majesty as she has delivered speeches in Parliament…

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at the state opening of the British Parliament. Getty

…and has made countless public appearances. In this image, the people of London wave to the couple in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Life in the public eye can surely be exhausting, and there have been moments where Philip lost his patience.

Philip at an official engagement. Getty

In 2015, he was caught on camera swearing at a photographer to “take the f****** picture.”

To a car park attendant who didn’t recognise him in 1997, he reportedly snapped: “You bloody silly fool!”

He also faced tragedy. Philip and Queen Elizabeth dealt with the unexpected death of their former daughter-in-law, Princess Diana, in 1997.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, view some of the numerous tributes to Diana, Princess of Wales, at London’s Buckingham Palace, Friday Sept. 5 1997. AP

Just a few years later, Queen Elizabeth lost her mother and only sister within the span of just two months.

But he certainly had some fun along the way. Philip was renowned for his cheeky, and sometimes offensive, sense of humour.

Philip and the Queen. Anwar Hussein/EMPICS Entertainment

Some of his gaffes — of which there are many — have been garnered unwanted attention.

In 2002, he asked Aboriginal leader William Brin in Queenslad: “Do you still throw spears at each other?”

A year later, in a conversation with President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, who was in national dress, Philip said: “You look like you’re ready for bed!”

But Philip also made jokes at his own expense. On the day his retirement was announced, Sky News had footage of him sharing this laugh with one well-wisher.

Prince Philip was known for his sense of humor. Sky News

Philip was patron, president, or a member of over 780 organizations as of his 96th birthday last year. He founded the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award youth programme, which gives young people opportunities for self-improvement.

Philip with his son, the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sphie. Getty

He became the UK president of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 1961, and international president from 1981 to 1996, when he retired. His grandsons Prince Harry and Prince William have also been involved with the organization.

The Duke of Sussex. Getty

He remained a keen sportsman, with a love of polo, carriage driving, and sailing. Here, he attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

He attended the royal wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in April 2011.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. George Pimentel/WireImage

He met celebrities – or rather, celebrities met him. Tom Cruise got the royal handshake…

Tom Cruise meeting the duke. Getty

…and he spent time with former US President Barack Obama.

Philip welcomes the former US President at Buckingham Palace. Getty

He also attended the royal wedding of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex in 2018.

Not all of his trips were so extravagant, though. Here, he visits a zoo where he fed the elephants.

He also took a ride on a cable car in Brighton…

The duke observing the view. Getty

…and travelled on board a steam train near Coleraine, Northern Ireland.

Philip and the Queen observing the view outside during their train journey. Getty

A trip to the pub also didn’t go amiss.

The Duke of Edinburgh announced his retirement from public life at the age of 95, with the plan to no longer carry out public engagements or accept invitations – but that didn’t stop him from attending Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. Odd Anderson/pool photo via AP

He also posed for a photo alongside the Queen at Windsor Castle in honour of his 99th birthday.

Buckingham Palace shared this image of the couple for the duke’s 99th birthday at Windsor Castle. Press Association

While the public may have had mixed opinions on the Duke of Edinburgh, it’s undeniable that he has been fully committed to his life in the royal spotlight.

The duke. AP Photo

Hats off to the Duke of Edinburgh…

His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Hannah McKay – WPA Pool/Getty

…you will be missed.

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